Multi-window sun shield

ABSTRACT

A sun shield for covering a plurality of windows defining at least one substantial angle. The sun shield has a flexible frame which is easily collapsible for storage. Encompassing upon the frame is an opaque flexible material which blocks sunlight. Coupled to the flexible material encompassing the frame is a flexible flap which can shield windows defining a substantial angle with a window shield by the defined frame and encompassing material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sunshields, and particularly to acollapsible window shade apparatus capable of covering a plurality ofwindows.

2. Art Background

In the past, sunshields have been used to shield the interior of a carfrom sunlight and heat. Sunshields have also been used to provide acover for visually concealing the contents of the passenger compartment.One example of a prior art sunshield is a simple cardboard sheet that isfolded in an accordion-like fashion. These folding cardboard shades aretypically unfolded and placed across the front windshield of a car.Unfortunately, these prior art windshield shades have a tendency tocontract toward the initial folded position because of the creases inthe cardboard. Additionally, even when fully folded, the accordionshades are somewhat bulky to pack and store.

Another type of sunshields are the shields that are collapsible forcompact storage. Typically, the sunshields have a pair of closed loopflexible frames that are covered and coupled by two opaque sheets offabric material. These types of sunshields also have a hinge area thatseparates the frames, and thereby allows the frames to be placed on topof each other in order to twist and fold them into a plurality ofsmaller concentric loops which can be stored. Unfortunately, these priorart collapsible sunshields can not cover a plurality of windows. Morespecifically, a prior art collapsible sunshield can not cover thewindshield and the side windows of a car simultaneously. Consequently,it is desirable to have a cost efficient sunshield that is collapsiblefor compact storage and that could be used to cover multiple windowsdefining one or more substantial angles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a flexible frame covered with an opaque flexiblematerial and at least one flap disposed adjacent to the covered frameand coupled thereto. The coupling can be performed by a snap or anyconventional fastening device or the flap can even be physically sewn toor integrally formed from the flexible material which covers the frame.

The instant invention provides a sun shield which is collapsible foreasy storage and is also capable of covering multiple windowssimultaneously. Further, the windows to be covered can definesubstantial angles or even lie in planes which are not perpendicular toone another. The instant invention thereby allows maximum shading whilereducing required storage area and a reduced number of units required toachieve the desired level of sun shielding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewingthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an exemplary embodiment of acollapsible sunshield assembly of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the collapsible sunshield assemblyof FIG. 1 being folded about a center fold line with its flaps adjacentto each other.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the collapsible sunshield assemblyof the invention collapsed for compact storage.

FIG. 4 is an external installed view of a collapsible sunshield assemblyof FIG. 1 covering the windshield and the side windows of an automobile.

FIG. 5 is an internal installed view of a collapsible sunshield assemblyof FIG. 1 covering the windshield and the side windows of an automobile.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment ofthe sun shield assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sun shield assembly of FIG. 6showing the flap partially detached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 4shows a collapsible sunshield assembly 10 of the present inventioninstalled covering the windshield 12 and side windows 14 of anautomobile 16. Sunshield 10 provides maximum protection against thetransmission of sunlight and heat into the interior of the car, becausesunshield 10 not only covers the windshield but also covers the sidewindows. In addition, the ability of sunshield 10 to cover thewindshield and side windows provides a complete cover for visuallyconcealing the contents of the passenger compartment. It should benoted, that although use of the sunshield assembly 10 in an automobileis shown and described, the present invention may be used to cover otherwindows. For example, assembly 10 may cover the window(s) of acommercial/residential building to shield the interior of the structurefrom sun and heat.

As shown in FIG. 1, window shade apparatus 10 has a flexible fabricsheet 18, attached to a flexible frame 20. Flexible frame 20 is formedby two independent strips that are bent into a close loop and joinedtogether by a clip or other fastening means. In addition, the strip iscomposed of a spring-like metal or plastic that can be readily twistedand folded without yielding material. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, flexible fabric frame 20 is constructed from steel wire,which is both flexible and strong.

As mentioned before, flexible fabric sheet 18 covers flexible frame 20.Flexible fabric 18 includes center section 22 and flaps 24. The flaps 24attach to the center section 22 along lines 27. Center section 22 hastwo layers in between which flexible frames 20 are positioned. Morespecifically, flexible frames 20 are placed adjacent to each otherbetween the two layers of flexible fabric's center section 22 and arethen affixed to center section 22 by sewing the two layers of centersection 22 along the boundaries of flexible frames 20. It should benoted that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, flexibleframes 20 could be attached to a one layer center section 22 by a hemstrip that extends around the entire length of the frame. As mentionedbefore, flexible fabric sheet 18 also includes flaps 24 which extend atan angle from the center section 22. As shown in FIG. 4, these flaps aredesigned to cover the front side windows of the automobile. In addition,flaps 24 have tab 26 that can be used to affix the flap 24 such that aside window is shaded. More specifically, tab 26 can be placed on top ofthe glass as the window is rolled up until the tab is pinched betweenthe window and the window well of a car or attached to the side windowby suction cup attached to the tab. A suction cup may also be coupleddirectly to the flap 24 for attachment to the side window.Alternatively, the side flaps 24 may also be secured to the side windowsby providing tabs 26 that are constructed of Velcro material, whichallows the tabs 26 to be coupled to the front shoulder belts or anyalternative attachment location above the side windows. The bottom ofthe shade is then supported by the door frame. The tabs 26 could also beelastic or a fabric webbing, possibly coupled to suction cups or anyother conventional attachment device such as snaps and buckles.

In one embodiment, pockets 32 are disposed partially on the centersection and partially on the flap 24. The pocket has a zipper (notshown) which traverses at least a portion of the perimeter of the pocket32. In preparation for storing, the flap 24 can be folded or stuffedinto the pocket 32 disposed thereon. It is also contemplated that otherclosure devices, such as Velcro, could replace the zipper. In analternate embodiment, no pocket is provided.

Flexible fabric sheet 18 is typically constructed from a woven fabricthat is both flexible and strong. The material is typically strongenough to hold the frame in the desired configuration. Alternatively,flexible fabric sheet 18 may be constructed from a thin plastic,reinforced paper, plasticized metal foil or a material sold by E. I. duPont de Nemour Inc., under the trademark TYVEK. Flexible fabric sheet 18may also be constructed from a plurality of individual sheets laminatedtogether. In addition, flexible fabric sheet 18 may be adapted toreflect fight. Furthermore, flexible fabric sheet 18 may include variouscolors, patterns, or logos to improve the appearance of the shade.Additionally, it is contemplated that flaps 24 may be detachably coupledto the center section 22 using snaps, Velcro, zippers, or any otherconventional attachment method. Further, it is contemplated that theflaps 24 of the flexible fabric sheet 18 may be adapted to retainsuction cups not shown for adhering to the side windows.

FIG. 2 presents one method for collapsing sunshield 10 (1) by initiallyfolding center section 22 about a center fold line 28 with flaps 24being folded along lines 27 and placed between the folded centersection, and (2) by twisting the ends of flexible frames 20 in oppositedirections while folding the sunshield inward until three interleavedcircular loops are formed. In this fashion, the sunshield will typicallycollapse to a fraction of the original size. In addition, the sunshieldgenerally remains in the collapsed condition without further restraint.However, sunshield apparatus 10 includes an elastic strap 30 that wrapsaround the shades in the collapsed condition, shown in FIG. 3 (not toscale with FIG. 2), to prevent the frames from unfolding. The collapsedsunshield assembly can then be placed in a pouch (not shown) or otherstorage container. A more detailed description of the collapsiblefeature can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,784, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the opened or deployed configuration, collapsiblewindow shade 10 is a substantially flat and opaque sunshield that isplaced against an automobile windshield and side windows to block outthe sun rays and to visually conceal the interior of the car.Additionally, when the sunshield is not being used, flaps 24 and centersection 22 can be folded into three interleaved circular loops forcompact storage. FIG. 5 shows an internal view of a car with the shade10 installed. This view shows attachment of the tabs 26 to the bar 31commonly found above side windows in an automobile.

Now referring to FIG. 6 which depicts an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the invention, panel 41 is composed of a flexible materialand defined by flexible frame 40 with a plurality of snaps 44 disposedthereon. Flap 42 is detachably coupled to panel 41 along the linedefined by any two adjacent snaps 44. Tab 43 functions as an attachmentdevice whereby when installed, flap 42 covers the side window of anautomobile, while panel 41 covers all or a part of the windshield. Theplanes defined by panel 41 and flap 42 intersect on the diagonal,thereby allowing panel 41 to accommodate the slope of a standardwindshield while flap 42 shields a more vertical adjacent side window.This embodiment also collapses by twisting flexible frame 40 to formthree concentric loops. This is accomplished by grasping opposingcorners 45 and 46. The frame 40 is twisted in opposite directions at thegrasp points until corner 46 has moved approximately 180° relative tocorner 45. In this state, moving the corners 45 and 46 towards eachother in a plane causes the frame 40 to form 3 concentric loops. Incollapsed form shown in FIG. 3, the sun shield occupies much less spaceand can be easily stored in a pouch or other storage container. FIG. 3is not to scale with FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 with one snap 44disengaged and flexible frame 40 bent back to reveal same. It would beclear to one of ordinary skill in the art to use other conventionalmeans of coupling instead of snaps, such as Velcro strips, clips, oreven buckles. As such, all conventional fastening devices are within thescope and contemplation of the instant invention. Alternatively, flap 42could be sewn directly to panel 41. Such embodiment could be providedwith a pocket disposed partially on the flap 42 and partially on thepanel 41.

While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 accommodates a portion ofthe windshield and the right side window, to accommodate the left sidewindow, one need merely invert the flap 42 and resnap in the reversedposition. Thus, it should be clear that an embodiment accommodating theright side window is merely a mirror image of an embodiment which wouldaccommodate the left side window. It is also within the scope andcontemplation of the invention that the flap 42 could be extended tocover at least one back side window, as well as at least one front sidewindow. It is also within the scope and contemplation of the instantinvention that the panel 41 would be large enough to cover the entirewindshield and that it further has a second flap which mirrors flap 42for covering the opposing side window.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described in detail andshown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that suchembodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive of the broadinvention and that this invention not be limited to the specificconstruction and arrangements shown and described, since various othermodifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.Therefore, the scope of the instant invention should only be limited bythe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A collapsible sun shield comprising:at least one spring-like flexible frame forming at least one collapsible closed loop; a substantially rectangular flexible sheet disposed upon the at least one frame to define a central region; at least one flexible flap attached to each opposing lateral edge of the central region substantially along the length of the lateral edges, said flap having a central axis, said axis extending at an angle from the lateral edges, such that the central region can shade a first window and the flaps can shade a second window and a third window, the first window and the second window defining at least one substantial angle.
 2. The collapsible sun shield of claim 1wherein the flexible flap as disposed on the central region defines a predetermined angle.
 3. The collapsible sun shield of claim 2wherein each said flexible flap is detachably coupled to the flexible sheet disposed on the at least one flexible frame.
 4. The collapsible sun shield of claim 3wherein the flap is coupled to the central region using snaps.
 5. The collapsible sun shield of claim 2wherein the at least one flexible flap is long enough to shade both a front side window and a back side window.
 6. The collapsible sun shield of claim 1wherein a tab is disposed on the at least one flexible flap.
 7. The collapsible sun shield of claim 6wherein the tab is coupled to a suction cup.
 8. The collapsible sun shield of claim 7wherein a flexible flap is disposed on either end of the central region.
 9. The collapsible sun shield of claim 1wherein the flexible frame comprises a plurality of collapsible closed loops.
 10. The collapsible sun shield of claim 1wherein the at least one flexible flap is fixedly coupled to the central region to define a predetermined angle.
 11. The collapsible sun shield of claim 10 further comprisinga pocket disposed partially on the central region and partially on the flap.
 12. The collapsible sun shield of claim 1wherein the at least one flap is integrally formed with the central region to define a predetermined angle.
 13. The collapsible sun shield of claim 1 further comprisinga pocket disposed partially on the central region and partially on the flap.
 14. In a motor vehicle, an improvement in combination comprising:a windshield having a non-vertical slope; side windows that are substantially vertical; a sunshield having a flexible sheet having a central region disposed upon at least one collapsible spring-like closed loop, the central region disposed so as to approximate the slope of the windshield, the sunshield further having flexible flaps each coupled to opposing lateral edges of the central region, each flap having a central axis, said axis extending at an angle from the lateral edges, and disposed so as to be substantially vertical along at least one side window. 